Malaysian Jungle Railway and Guillemard Bridge, Kelantan Province, Malaysia
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Brief description
https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Jungle_Railway + https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillemard_Bridge + https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CSkW3sg36Qo
"The Jungle Railway runs through the centre of Malaysia from Tumpat, near Kota Bahru on the East Coast, to the junction with the country's main line at Gemas.
Officially the East Coast line, this railway is an interesting way to get from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore to the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It can form a more adventurous alternative to the mainline for an overland trip between Singapore and Bangkok. However, while there is track across the Thai border, passenger services do not run and a 30-minute bus journey is required between either Pasir Mas or Kota Bharu and Thailand's railway network at Sungai Kolok.
Although not an epic train journey like the Trans-Siberian Railway, it nevertheless offers an insight into life in the hinterland of the more rural East Coast states. Until a programme of road building in approximately the 1980s, most of the towns and villages along the line had no other means of accessing the larger world. While the name evokes a journey through thick rainforest, the reality is that the forests of Peninsular Malaysia are disappearing to be replaced with oil palm and rubber plantations. In particular, south of Jerantut the influence of humans on what was once rainforest is obvious. However the terrain, rivers and patches of remaining jungle are impressive.
Taman Negara, Malaysia's oldest national park, lies near the railway and is most often accessed from Jerantut. Other attractions include the Kenong Rimba Park in Pahang, strong waterfalls and limestone caves in Gua Musang."
"The "Malaysian Jungle Railway," or East Coast Line, is a 526 km railway in Peninsular Malaysia, running from Gemas to Tumpat, passing through Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, and Kelantan. It's known for its scenic route through the jungle and its connection to the small town of Tumpat, which is near the Thai border. The line's name is a bit of a misnomer, as it only reaches the coast at its terminus in Tumpat.
The Guillemard Bridge is part of the Jungle Railway, and it's not actually a bridge, but a structure built to support the track. This structure is the country's longest railway bridge, a single-track truss bridge built in 1925. It was partially destroyed during World War Two and restored in 1948. The railway passes through the centre of Peninsular Malaysia, with most stations in remote villages and jungle-surrounded areas.
The railway has been a vital connection for remote settlements, and the line has been used for both passenger and cargo transport."
Address
KTMB Guillemard Bridge
Kg Kusial Bharu
17500 Tanah Merah
Kelantan
Malaysia
Phone
Website
Directions
Opening Times
Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change